REVIEW: Titan Comics – The Thirteenth Doctor #3

Secrets are uncovered, and it all gets a bit ‘Indiana Jones’, as Titan Comics‘ Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor series continues!

As of last night, Jodie Whittaker‘s first series as the Doctor has come to an end. With Doctor Who not set to return until 2020, we’re now faced with a whole year without our favourite Time Lord on our screens. Fortunately, with Titan Comics‘ new Thirteenth Doctor series now in full swing, we’ll still be able to get our regular fix of adventures with the Doctor, Ryan, Yaz, and Graham. This series has already proved to be a perfect extension of the recent television series. As ever, writer Jody Houser and artists Rachael Stott and Eren Enrica Angiolini continue to expertly bring the Thirteenth Doctor and friends to life in comic form.

In the last issue, the Doctor and friends escaped the capture of the sinister Grand Army of the Just. However, upon returning to the safety of the TARDIS, Dr Leon Perkins drew his weapon, before threatening to hijack the ship!

Stand and Deliver, Your TARDIS or Your Life!

As usual, this issue picks up right where we left off, with Team TARDIS being held at gunpoint by Perkins. However, as has been the way in much of this latest television series, it transpires that Perkins isn’t as evil as he might seem.

Titan Comics – Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #3 – Preview 1

In true Thirteenth Doctor fashion, she easily talks him down, and invites him for a cup of tea and a chat instead. One of the things I’ve loved the most about this series so far are Stott‘s intricate little details. As such, keep your eyes peeled for the Doctor’s Disney-themed teapot, and her ‘UNIVERSE’S #1 DAD’ mug. I’d love to know who brought that for her – my money’s on Bill Potts!

Mysteries are Uncovered, and Things Get All ‘Indiana Jones’

Things soon take a darker turn, as some questions are answered about the greedy, treasure-seeking tyrant known as ‘The Hoarder’. We learn more about the methods this creature is using to blackmail Perkins and Schulz into doing his bidding. We’re still largely in the dark at this point, but ‘The Hoarder’ becomes increasingly frightening the more we learn about him. He’s certainly looking to be one of the most formidable enemies this Doctor has faced to date.

Finally, Team TARDIS (and Perkins) set off to try and rescue Schulz. This serves as yet another opportunity for Stott and Angiolini to showcase their talents. We’re treated to a beautiful mountainous landscape adorned with sparkling crystals. However, The Doctor and company don’t have much time to admire the scenery, as things become (as Ryan rightly says) ‘proper Indiana Jones’. They trace Schulz to a mysterious alien temple, where the walls begin to close in on them. This forces the group to dive down a mysterious hole – to who knows where? I greatly appreciated Houser‘s subtle callback to Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor as the Doctor goes to jump after her friends, remarking, ‘what was it I used to say in moments like this? Oh, it’ll come to me…’

I can’t wrap up this review without drawing the reader’s attention to the advertisement for Titan Comics’ Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension Books One and Two in the front of this issue, which features BlogtorWho‘s very own seal of approval from our contributor Louise Thacker!

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #3 is available to purchase from all good comic shops from Wednesday 2nd January.

Check out the three variant covers available for Issue #3, featuring artwork from Rebekah Isaacs & Dan Jackson, Will Brooks, and Rachael Smith below!